By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A recent impromptu meeting at the home of former St. John the Baptist Parish President Bill Hubbard drew together four parish residents known to be considering a run for sheriff, but they say it was more of a casual discussion of an assortment of parish affairs than a formal discussion about the sheriff’s race.

Business owner Aaron Lions, attorney Kerry Brown and perennial sheriff candidate Steve Guidry were among others who joined Mike Tregre at Hubbard’s home on the evening of Feb. 15. All four men are rumored to have some level of interest in competing against incumbent Wayne Jones in the fall election; only Lions has formally announced.

Tregre, Brown and Lions confirmed they were at the meeting, and all three said the sheriff’s race was just one of many topics discussed.

Lions and Tregre both said the meeting was more of a get-together of friends and associates prior to Hubbard’s departure to federal prison, where he will serve his three-and-a-half-year sentence for soliciting bribes while in office.

“There was absolutely nothing secretive about it,” Lions said. “We talked about the weather, we talked about the parish, there were political discussions, but this was not some official meeting of the minds regarding any race.”

Tregre said when he arrived there were several people there, including some he didn’t know. He said the group discussed Hubbard’s upcoming departure to start his prison sentence and concerns Hubbard had about his family, and Hubbard sought any advice they might have regarding the type of prison he would be reporting to.

“The conversation of the upcoming sheriff’s race came up, and he asked what our intentions were,” Tregre said. “I said I am strongly considering it, and Aaron Lions, who already publicly announced, said ‘I’m in it.’ No alliances were made, and no teams were created. It was just casual talk.”

Brown said the group discussed all upcoming races, including the parish president’s race, several council races and the sheriff’s race. Brown said he had never considered a run for sheriff, but he added he always has an interest in parish politics.

“I was there for maybe 40 minutes,” Brown said.

“He wanted our take on what we thought was going to happen locally. I had no idea who would be there. Nothing tactical was discussed, and there was nothing secretive about it at all,” he said.